The Alpine School District (ASD) Board of Education meeting was packed Tuesday night, with residents giving their input on the district’s proposed property tax increase.
The approved amendment increased the certified tax rate from .005715 to .00615, a four-tier increase. The district also had three tiers of debt repayment, but added those three tiers back to the board’s levy. The property tax increase will result in an increase of about $108 per year, or $9 per month, for homeowners with a median property value of $489,000 in the district.
During Tuesday’s meeting, County Economic Administrator Jason Sundberg presented to the public what the additional tax revenue will be used for, including:
● Operational investments in full-time staff to reduce class sizes, support teaching assistants, increase substitute teacher salaries and mentor teacher programs
● Inflation of construction costs
● New facilities and technology
The proposed allocation includes the highly anticipated new Saratoga Springs High School, which will serve Saratoga Springs and Eagle Mountain. $67 million from this tax increase is to be used over the next three years, while the board plans to issue the remaining $86 million as lease revenue bonds later this year. If approved, the high school would break ground in June 2025 and would be ready for the 2028-29 school year.
As is typical at Truth in Taxation hearings, taxpayers were in the room to voice their opinions. There was overwhelming opposition, but there were also some supporters.
“Over the last four years, the district has gone from just under $11,000 per student to over $13,000 per student with this proposed budget. A 19% increase per student districtwide. I would encourage you to vote against this increase,” said American Fork resident Jared Johnson to kick off the public comment session of more than 30 people.
“I love the Alpine School District and have supported most of the increases in the past, but this is a tough one. I want to know where the sacrifices are coming from. We all make sacrifices on utilities and housing costs… If you look at salaries, the median income in Utah is $71,000. If you look at the Alpine School District, person after person is making over $200,000. There have to be cuts,” said Orem resident Lisa Winegar.
“I’ve lived in this school district for 50 years in the same house and have paid for my grandchildren and now great-grandchildren. I oppose the tax increase in the Alpine School District. I’m on a fixed income and we’re paying more and more every year… I speak for everyone who’s on a fixed income and this is a hardship. Maybe the next generation can take this on,” said Carey Kerr of Pleasant Grove.
While most public comments focused on opposition to the increase, several proponents and supporters of the increase spoke to board members.
“I wish we had more state legislators here to see the consequences of cutting the state income tax. When the state cuts the income tax, counties have to make up the difference through higher property taxes. I support raising property taxes because schools are our most valuable investment,” said Saratoga Springs resident Carly Ferrin.
“I stand here today and strongly support this tax increase. I have lived in the Alpine School District my entire life. I have been through the schools and it has been a phenomenal experience. I love education and I know that a good education prepares our youth for success later in life. Our school district needs more funding,” said Alex Day of American Fork, who also echoed Ferrin’s criticism of state lawmakers’ cut in the state income tax earlier this year.
The public hearing was over and Board Chair Sara Hacken of Orem brought the discussion back to the board for a motion. Pleasant Grove board member Mark Clement moved to approve the proposed tax increase and was met with shouts and disapproval from the crowd. Members of the public stood up to leave the meeting and several shouted at the board as they left, “You never listen.”
“It’s really difficult to attend these meetings. I’m grateful to those who took the time to advocate for their cause… I hear what you’re saying and I understand what you’re saying. So if you leave this meeting and don’t feel like you weren’t heard, then I heard you. I just had to get a different perspective,” Saratoga Springs board member Joylin Lincoln said in her closing remarks.
“We listen and we listen. We have listened, but the difficult thing is that sometimes people who are elected officials get accused of not listening. And I think to some people that means, ‘You don’t agree with what I think’… They may not be happy about my vote tonight, but you know what: You can vote me out. That’s America,” said Sarah Beeson, American Fork board member.
“It’s really tough to constantly hear teachers and our administrators being attacked. As far as cuts go, our principals look at things all year long. The Business Services Department looks at things all year long. I know all of you are out of touch with the budget process. I wish you would comment as we go through this. The number of requests far exceeds what we can fund… I also don’t believe we’re building Taj Mahals. We’re building schools to house our children and last for 50 years,” said Lehi board member Stacey Bateman in response to public comments about administrator salaries and school construction costs.
The tax increase comes as part of a possible redistricting exercise in the upcoming general election in November. The new tax revenues and new debt will be divided and allocated based on the taxable value of each new district if voters approve the redistricting.
